Technical Release

SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE HARVESTING IN APPALACHIAN HARDWOODS

Logging Systems

Oct. 2002
02-R-29

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INTRODUCTION: Blankenship Logging of Otway, Ohio uses innovative timber harvesting techniques to improve the (manual) operation's productivity, safety, and efficiency. Blankenship Logging's use of "cold logging" techniques, cutting in strips, using counters to keep track of products being sorted, use of chain chokers, and cross-training all workers follows the method of harvesting advocated by Soren Eriksson, which looks at the entire harvesting operation as a system of integrated components.

OPERATION: Blankenship Logging harvests a clearcut in a series of alternating strips, working each strip from a main skid road and always trying to maximize the length of the strip being cut. Chain saw operators felling trees by hand are always working at least one strip ahead of the skidders so that there is no danger of workers being too close. The alternating strips, however, are fairly narrow in width, so that it is often possible for one operator to be in visual contact with another crew member. Using handheld radios also improves the communication. This method of separating workers, known as "cold logging," keeps ground workers at least "twice the tree height" distance safely away from skidding and loading operations.

The width of the strip is determined by the size of the timber being harvested. If the majority of the timber is sawtimber sized (large tops), then a narrower strip (30 feet) will be cut to prevent the butts of the trees from being covered up by the progressive felling of other timber.

Fig. 1: Handheld counter keeps track of trees cut in four roundwood product categories

Chain chokers are often used instead of cable chokers. Since the chains are independent of the slides on the mainline, the operator isn't committed to pulling the chain chokers out every time he makes a hitch. Cable chokers do not offer this option and must be handled on every drag, even if there is no tree to hook to. This is why one normally sees only five or six cable chokers on a mainline instead of 10 or 12. (No one wants to wrestle with an octopus -- you just can't win!) By working with longer clearcut strips and chain chokers, the operator can maximize the payload of the machine by adding trees to the load as he sees the opportunity. More trees per skid equals fewer trips, which equals higher production. Chain chokers also handle smaller (6- to 8-inch) diameter trees more efficiently by not letting them slip out, unlike cable chokers.

As the chain saw operators fell and limb trees, they use handheld counters (clickers) to keep track of the number of trees cut in each of four categories: "pulpwood," "1 butt-log tree," "2-log tree," and "greater than 2-log tree." The chain saw operator keeps track of each of the four products in his strip. This way, if the skidder operator needs to find just a few more logs or pieces of pulpwood to make a load, he can ask the chain saw operator how much of that product is left in his strip. By tracking production with the counters, the owners know how much is on the ground, what product is there, and where to get it. All this information helps build a more efficient and profitable operation.

Workers on Blankenship Logging's operation are cross-trained to operate all machines. Rotating the workers through various tasks makes their job more interesting and keeps them sharper.

Fig. 2: "Corduroy" log landing holds up even under adverse weather and heavy equipment use.

Blankenship Logging occasionally uses a "corduroy" approach to stabilize a landing: They place treelength material (45 to 50 feet in length) side by side on the ground and create a mat that looks like an old-time river raft. This technique keeps the skidder from wallowing out the deck area, and it allows the operation to continue working even when wet ground would normally make the deck soft and unmanageable. At the end of the operation they pull up the wood and load it on the trucks to be hauled to the local paper mill.

COSTS: There are no added costs to this method of logging, other than the inexpensive counters. (These particular counters were obtained from Soren Eriksson; MeadWestvaco's Logging Supply Center (Chillicothe phone 740-772-3338) will stock them as of October 2002.) However, there are great benefits -- improved logging safety and efficiency. Jeff Jenkins MeadWestvaco P.O. Box 2500 Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 740/772-3121

Reviewed By:
Rick Meyer
Appalachian Technical Division Forester

 

Forest Resources Association Inc.
600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 350, Rockville, Maryland 20852
Phone: (301) 838-9385     Fax: (301) 838-9481